The saga continues...
Nostalgic Reminisce
Chapter 5
The present...
"That's my past when I first met him." she said.
Tears fell from her eyes.
"My what a tragic story." Kaoru said.
"Hapy yet sad..." Yahiko said.
"That's all right, so may I continue now?" She asked, smiling.
"Sure, please." Kenshin replied.
Back to the story...
Enishi and I lived happily together, he taught me how to read and write in Japanese, And I taught him more about my Chinese culture. Our happiness went on not until news from Japan came to China about the defeat of Shishio plans by a group of people which was then specified that Battousai defeated Shishio. He told me about his past and his late sister but never told me about his true motives so I couldn't really figure out what his plans are. At that time I was with child...
Present...
"He never saw his son for I gave birth to him a few weeks after he left. " She said.
"That's all I can say, And I do tell you honestly, he is a very kind and loving man, he's just misunderstood. Forgive the things he did wrong." She said.
"I do understand how he feels…Losing someone who you love dearly…At that time, revenge was all he could think of. And I don't blame him for that. People make mistakes." Kenshin replied.
"Mei-rin san if there is anything we can do to help you, please ask." Kenshin said.
"Well all I ask of you is to tell me where my husband is." She said.
"...Actually the last time we heard about him...He jumped off the boat and...Suddenly disappeard without a trace." Kenshin replied.
"You're saying that..."
"I don't know for sure if he is..." Kenshin paused.
"No...That can't be...but he promised...that..."
"Don't worry I'm sure that he is still alive knowing that he still has you."
"Do you any place by any chance where he might linger?"
"...Probably...Its called Rakunin Mura." Kenshin said.
"Rakunin Mura?" She said.
"I will take you there tomorrow." Kenshin said.
"Thank you!" She said bowing down. Kenshin also bowed.
In the middle of the night…
"You're still awake?" Mei-lin asked Kaoru.
"I couldn't sleep after what I just heard." She replied.
"I see." Mei-lin sat down beside her.
Both of them stayed outside on the main porch.
"Mei-rin san, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Um, how is it…you know…um…being…"
"Oh, you mean, how is it like being married." Mei-lin smiled
"Yeah that's it…I think?"
"Well, don't expect it to be like in most stories that you read in books."
"I see. Do you argue, fight, you know things like that?"
"Sometimes we do, but we do settle it afterwards. Every couple encounters conflicts and problems in their married life. Much more if he plays a large role in underground business. It is not as easy as you think."
"What if he runs after another woman?"
"That? I'd doubt it. When it comes to women it is they who do the chasing not him. Some say they consider myself lucky. I'd say it's fate and destiny. "
"But how come you stayed with him knowing that he for one is doing illegal stuff? Tell me more!"
"Well it's not that easy. He saved my life and I am very grateful to that besides his youth wasn't so much of a bliss. It's hard to say no when you love someone. He needed someone to care for him after his late sister's death, he took it real hard.
Mei-lin paused and gazed at Kaoru's eyes and smiled.
"Alright. As a wife, one must not nag her husband all the time. Never let him do chores, that's a woman's job. What I am saying is, go easy on him. Don't pressure him; don't ask too much from him. Never argue with him for any kind of reason. If a man ever had such a woman, well he would probably leave her. Not only shall both of them treat eachother with respect in their married life but also before both of them made their vows.
"Kaoru?"
"Ughhh…" Kaoru was speechless and turned pale.
"Are you alright?"
"Huh? Oh I'm fine it's just that…"
"You seemed surprised? Do you have a friend who mistreats her husband or the other way?"
"Uh, no! Hehehehe…" Kaoru said. (Sweat drop)
"I'm glad but if you ever have one, tell her what I have told you. Please keep it in mind.
It's very late already, we must get some sleep." Mei-lin said.
"Alright. I never thought that being married could be so much complicated."
The next day...
"Are you both ready to go now?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes." Mei- lin replied.
Mei-lin carried little Ryujin in her arms. Xing Ru walked beside her. Both of them followed Kenshin from behind.
"Mei-rin san, this is the last place I think you'll find him, so I hope that he didn't commit suicide, heaven forbid. If you want I can still accompany you inside." Kenshin said.
"No, its alright, you have done so much for me and that it is best for us to be alone." She replied.
"Take care now." Kenshin said.
Mei-lin smiled and walked inside. The place was very filthy; rocks and broken woods were piled everywhere. The houses were almost crumbling to pieces. The people around were wearing tattered clothes. They all look so sick, pitiful, and homeless. Mei-lin did not dare speak or gaze at anyone of them. They both continued on walking. The people around grew curious.
"Hey, you both, why are you trespassing on our place?" A man asked.
"I have business here, I am looking for a man named Yukishiro Enishi. Do you know him by any chance?" Mei-lin replied.
"Sorry, but if you're talking about the one with weird grayish hair, well he is staying in a corner past those houses over there, you won't miss him. Quite a strange one. You wouldn't want to mess around with him uh uh." He said.
"Thank you kind sir." She replied, giving the man a box containing some food.
"Thank you!" He said.
Mei-lin smiled and continued walking. Five minutes later… It was he. At the end of the corner…
Enishi sat down on the floor. His head bowed down with such grief and on his right hand, he held a book. He was alone at that time. No one dared to speak with him except for an old man, which someone who passed by told her. Mei-lin walked towards him. Xing Ru halted, kept still, and waited for the outcome. Enishi's clothes were tattered. He was covered with dirt and blood, but he didn't seem to care. The atmosphere was very quiescent and cold. Mei-lin was only a meter away from him.
"Yuan." She said with a calm and soothing voice.
Enishi was staring blankly on the ground but he felt the warm and comforting voice that spoke to him. His memory, and vision being vague, he looked up to see who the woman was. It can't be!
The woman he saw was clear to him now. The same long black hair tied in a ribbon, the same beautiful Chinese face he remembered before. Her smile was still the same. It was a very warm smile. The fair color of her skin, smooth and delicate when touched. But what was she holding in her arms?
Enishi winced a bit and stood up to her.
"Mei-lin." He said calmly.
His face was cold and serious but after his wife smiled and shed tears from her eyes. Enishi's expression changed. He smiled and embraced her. He may have lost the fight and pride, but it didn't compare to the love returned back to him. He looked up and saw a vision. His sister Tomoe smiled at him. He closed his eyes and welcomed the love he missed. Tomoe's spirit was with him all the time. Her sister's love is with his wife.
"Mei-lin forgive me..." Enishi whispered with his head on her shoulder.
Xing Ru smiled to see his sister happy again. After the embrace…
"Mei-lin, what are you carrying in your arms?" He asked.
Mei-lin smiled and gently unwrapped the cloth that covered the bundle in her hands, and there was a face of a cute little boy sleeping.
Let us pause for a moment of silence...Alright scream if you must. But don't worry, it's not yet over.
